Full of old world charm, Chiang Mai moves much slower than Bangkok. People come to Chiang Mai to experience Thailand’s Wats, Thai countryside and hill tribe life, and to shop for quality handicrafts and colourful textiles. However you decide to spend your time in this jungle clad city, there’s an excellent range of tours on offer to ensure you get the most out of Thailand’s cultural capital.
Don’t miss these Chiang Mai attractions
- Wat Phra Singh
- Night Bazaar
- Walking Street Market
- Bamboo rafting
Temple Town
It can be difficult choosing which of Chiang Mai’s 300 Buddhist temples to visit. Sign up for a tour and visit the most important temples in the city – a great way to see the architectural variety between Lanna, Thai, Sri Lankan, Burmese and Mon style temples.
Wat Phra Singh is the perfect example of classic Northern Thai architecture, while Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in the city, founded in 1296 and is also fashioned in traditional Northern Thai style. Wat Chedi Luang is the tallest temple in Chiang Mai and Wat Suan Dok is known as the flower garden temple, built around a forest grove.
Markets and hill tribes galore
Save your spending money for Chiang Mai, and hit up the Night Bazaar, Panthip Plaza and a host of local markets. If you’re in town on a Saturday or Sunday, be sure to check out the Walking Street Market for local handicrafts and clothes while enjoying live entertainment and Thai street food.
Take a tour to the hills of Northern Thailand and meet the local hill tribe people and see firsthand how traditional weaving is done, and you may even choose to take a bamboo raft ride, waving to the locals as you drift past.